After six and a half weeks of being cut off from the outside world, Del. J.B. Jennings (R-Harford County) says the national and local political landscape has changed dramatically since he left.

When Jennings returned home on Monday after military basic training for the Maryland Air National Guard, he learned of an economic crisis and an extremely close race in Maryland's 1st Congressional District.

"It is like reading a history book of something that took place and realizing you were alive when it happened," Jennings told PolitickerMD.com. He says he was "cut off from the world" during training, and only allowed a single 3-to-5 minute phone call per week, which he usually missed because of the demands.

Jennings currently has his sights on Republican Andy Harris's state Senate seat. If Harris wins in his bid for Congress on November 4, the Harford and Baltimore County Republican Central Committees will chooses Harris's successor. Jennings says he isn't campaigning for the seat until at least next Wednesday. "My focus right now is getting Andy Harris elected to Congress," he said.

Harris is currently battling Democrat Frank Kratovil for the 1st District seat in a race many observers believe is a dead heat. Jennings was surprised the race had gotten so close since his departure, but said the Democratic Party's investment in the District probably had an impact.

Jennings called his time in basic training "tough," and "fatiguing," and "brutal on your body," but added he was proud of himself and the people he served with.

"It makes you feel good about the country," he said, adding he came home with far more discipline.

In addition to Jennings, former Del. Al Redmer (R-Baltimore County) and restaurant owner Sergio Vitale have expressed interest in the 7th District state Senate seat.